Hex key holder with mechanism for pivotably securing a smaller block to a larger block for facilitating access to hex keys in the smaller block

ABSTRACT

A hex key holder in one embodiment includes a larger block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of first hex keys, and a curved arm extending forwardly from one side of the larger block, a smaller block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of second hex keys smaller than the first hex keys, and a pivot for pivotably securing the smaller block between the larger block and the arm. The invention can facilitate access to the second hex keys by tilting the smaller block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to wrench holders and more particularly to a hex key holder including a larger block and a smaller block pivotably secured thereto so as to facilitate access to hex keys in the smaller block by tilting the smaller block.

2. Description of Related Art

There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for wrench holder. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,401 discloses a hex key holder for display of hex keys at a point of sale and subsequently store the tool set. Further, the hex key holder is constructed to prevent unauthorized removal of hex keys therefrom.

Still, there is a type of hex key holder having two parallel abutted blocks commercially available. The holder is designed to provide more space for storage of hex keys. However, it is difficult of accessing hex key(s) in the rear block since the rear block, fixedly secured to the front block, is blocked by the front block. Hence, a need has arisen for an improved hex key holder having a pivot mechanism for facilitating access to hex keys in the smaller block by tilting the smaller block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a hex key holder including a larger block and a smaller block pivotably secured thereto so as to facilitate access to hex keys in the smaller block by tilting the smaller block.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of hex key holder according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hex key holder;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hex key holder;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 schematically showing a pivotal movement of the smaller block about the larger block prior to accessing hex key(s) in the smaller block;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, and 5H are cross-sectional views of the hex key holder depicting eight different pivot mechanisms incorporated by the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of hex key holder according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the hex key holder;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the hex key holder; and

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E are cross-sectional views of the hex key holder depicting five different pivot mechanisms incorporated by the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a hex key holder 1 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises the following components.

A larger block 10 comprises a plurality of penetrating channels 11 of circular section for retaining hex keys 60 of larger sizes, a flat front surface 12, and a curved arm 13 extending forwardly from one side of the front surface 12.

A smaller block 20 comprises a plurality of penetrating channels 21 of circular section for retaining hex keys 61 of smaller sizes, a flat rear surface 22 proximate the front surface 12, and a curved front surface (not numbered) shaped to be proximate the arm 13. Thus, the smaller block 20 is disposed between the front surface 12 and the arm 13.

A pivot mechanism 30 is provided to pivotably secure the smaller block 20 between the front surface 12 and the arm 13 as shown in FIG. 4. For example, a person can remove the largest one of the hex keys 60 first, the second largest one of the hex keys 60 thereafter, and so on for use as known in the art.

Most importantly, the person can clockwise pivot the smaller block 20 a predetermined angle about the larger block 10 (i.e., tilting the smaller block 20) prior to removing the largest one of the hex keys 61 without difficulties. Thereafter, the person can remove the second largest one of the hex keys 61 and so on sequentially. For returning the hex keys 61, the steps discussed above are traversed reversely.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5H, eight different pivot mechanisms 30 incorporated by the first preferred embodiment of the invention are shown. In FIG. 5A, the mechanism 30 of a first configuration comprises two aligned, circular projections 32 on the front and rear surfaces of the smaller block 20 respectively, one first cavity 31 on the front surface of the larger block 10 shaped to pivotably receive one projection 32, and the other first cavity 31 on the rear surface of the arm 13 shaped to pivotably receive the other projection 32.

In FIG. 5B, the mechanism 30 of a second configuration comprises a staged hole 331 through the arm 13, and a pin 33 having its head and a portion of its shank pivotably passing the hole 331, and the remaining portion of its shank pivotably received in a corresponding cavity (not numbered) on the front surface of the smaller block 20.

In FIG. 5C, the mechanism 30 of a third configuration comprises a staged hole 341 through the arm 13, and a pin 34 having its head and a first portion of its shank pivotably passing the hole 341, a second major portion of its shank pivotably passing a through hole 342 of the smaller block 20, and a third remaining portion of its shank pivotaby received in a corresponding cavity (not numbered) on the front surface of the larger block 10.

In FIG. 5D, the mechanism 30 of a fourth configuration comprises a staged hole 351 through the larger block 10, and a pin 35 having its head and a first portion of its shank pivotably received in the hole 351, a second major portion of its shank pivotably passing a through hole 352 of the smaller block 20, and a third remaining portion of its shank pivotaby received in a corresponding cavity (not numbered) on the rear surface of the arm 13.

In FIG. 5E, the mechanism 30 of a fifth configuration comprises a circular projection 36 on the rear surface of the arm 13, and a cavity 37 on the front surface of the smaller block 20 shaped to pivotably receive the projection 36.

In FIG. 5F, the mechanism 30 of a sixth configuration comprises a circular projection 39 on the front surface of the smaller block 20, and a cavity 38 on the rear surface of the arm 13 shaped to pivotably receive the projection 39.

In FIG. 5G, the mechanism 30 of a seventh configuration comprises a circular projection 42 on the rear surface of the smaller block 20, and a cavity 41 on the front surface of the larger block 10 shaped to pivotably receive the projection 42.

In FIG. 5H, the mechanism 30 of an eighth configuration comprises a circular projection 43 on the front surface of the larger block 10, and a cavity 44 on the rear surface of the smaller block 20 shaped to pivotably receive the projection 43.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a hex key holder 1A in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and comprises the following components.

A larger block 10 comprises a plurality of penetrating channels 11 of circular section for retaining hex keys of larger sizes (not shown), and a flat front surface 12.

A smaller block 20 comprises a plurality of penetrating channels 21 of circular section for retaining hex keys of smaller sizes (not shown), a flat rear surface 22 proximate the front surface 12, and a curved line 23 dividing a front surface into two arcuate sections.

A pivot mechanism 30 is provided to pivotably secure the smaller block 20 to the larger block 10 as detailed later. The tilting operations of the smaller block 20 relative to the larger block 10 are the same as described in the first preferred embodiment. Accordingly, further description is omitted for purpose of brevity.

Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9E, five different pivot mechanisms 30 incorporated by the second preferred embodiment of the invention are shown. In FIG. 9A, the mechanism 30 of a ninth configuration comprises a hole 45 open to a rear surface of the larger block 10 extending through one channel 11 to terminate at a blind end proximate the front surface of the larger block 10, and a bifurcation 46 having two latches of semi-circular section pivotably fastened at the blind end of the hole 45.

In FIG. 9B, the mechanism 30 of a tenth configuration comprises a staged hole 47 through the smaller block 20, and a pin 48 having its head and a first major portion of its shank pivotably passing the hole 47, and a second remaining portion of its shank pivotaby received in a corresponding cavity (not numbered) on the front surface of the larger block 10.

In FIG. 9C, the mechanism 30 of an eleventh configuration comprises an annular, staged groove 49 on the front surface of the larger block 10, and an annular flange 50 having a latch end 51 pivotably fastened at the annular shoulder of the groove 49.

In FIG. 9D, the mechanism 30 of a twelfth configuration comprises a hole 52 open to a rear surface of the larger block 10 extending through adjacent portions of two adjacent channels 11 to terminate at a blind end proximate the front surface of the larger block 10, and a bifurcation 53 having two latches of semi-circular section pivotably fastened at the blind end of the hole 52.

In FIG. 9E, the mechanism 30 of a thirteenth configuration comprises a hollow cylinder 54 having a bore 541 on the front surface of the larger block 10, a staged hole 55 through the smaller block 20, and a pin 56 having its head pivotably urged against the mouth of the hole 55 and the open end of the cylinder 54, and its shank pivotably received in the bore 541.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

1. A hex key holder comprising: a larger block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of first hex keys, and a curved arm extending forwardly from one side of the larger block; a smaller block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of second hex keys smaller than the first hex keys; and means for pivotably securing the smaller block between the larger block and the arm.
 2. A hex key holder comprising: a larger block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of first hex keys; a smaller block including a plurality of penetrating channels of circular section for retaining a plurality of second hex keys smaller than the first hex keys; and means for pivotably securing the smaller block to the larger block. 